An injury-hit Liverpool team host league leaders Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League. The Reds played against a very young Exeter City side in their last game but managed a 2-2 draw. On the other hand, the Gunners comfortably won 3-1 against Sunderland in the FA Cup.

Injuries have forced Jurgen Klopp to recall several youngsters from their loan spells while Liverpool also completed the loan signing of Steven Caulker from Queens Park Rangers. Arsenal have lost just once in their last 5 games and are favourites to win the battle at Anfield today.

Kickoff and Live Telecast

Channel: Star Sports 1 & Star Sports HD 1

Date and Time: Friday, 14th January, 01:30 AM

Venue: Anfield

Team News

Liverpool

Liverpool have a number of injury concerns. Belgian striker Divock Origi has been ruled out for another month after undergoing a knee surgery. The likes of Martin Skrtel, Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, and Jordan Rossiter are all out with hamstring injuries while Daniel Sturridge is also ruled out for the next two games against Arsenal and Manchester United.

There is some good news as well, skipper Jordan Henderson has returned from injury and Klopp might be forced to start him today while Jordan Ibe was also seen training and is expected to start today. Defenders Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure have also shrugged off concerns injury concerns and are expected to start against Arsenal.

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger confirmed the Gunners will be without Alexis Sanchez for their trip to Anfield while Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker will return to the squad after being rested for the game against Sunderland. Rosicky is back in training but is expected to miss out the game at Anfield, while the likes of David Ospina, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla are all sidelined with injuries.

Form

Liverpool

The Reds have won three of their last 5 games in all competition. Their only defeat came against West Ham United in the Premier League while they managed a 2-2 draw against Exeter City in the FA Cup. Jurgen Klopp’s team registered wins against Leicester City, Sunderland, and Stoke City. Liverpool have scored 5 goals and conceded 4 in their last five games.

Last 5 matches: W-W-L-W-D (Last match: Exeter City 2-2 Liverpool)

Arsenal

The visitors are in brilliant form having won 4 of their last five games, with their only defeat coming against Southampton in the Premier League. They won 2-1 against rivals Manchester City, 2-0 against Bournemouth, 1-0 against Newcastle United, and 3-1 against Sunderland in their last game in the FA Cup.

Last 5 matches: W-L-W-W-W (Last match: Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland)

Key Stats

Manchester United are the only team to win more games against Liverpool than Arsenal.

No other fixture has seen more hat-tricks than Liverpool vs Arsenal. (5)

35 goals have been scored in the last league 9 games between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield.

Ozil has been directly involved in 16 of Arsenal's last 24 Premier League goals (3 goals, 13 assists).

Arsenal have scored first in 14 league games this season, more than any other team.

Key Battles

Roberto Firmino vs Laurent Koscielny

It’s very likely Jurgen Klopp will opt for Roberto Firmino up front instead of Christian Benteke, who seems to be a bit too static. In the absence of Philippe Coutinho, Firmino needs to step up to give his team any chance of winning today. He has been very inconsistent so far, and definitely needs to score more goals.

Koscielny is one of the best defenders in the league, and he must use his experience well coming up against Firmino. He must close the gaps quickly, otherwise Firmino can be unstoppable on his day.

Mesut Ozil vs Emre Can

The battle between the Germans will be an interesting one to watch. Boh Can and Ozil were rested in the last game, and should be ready for the game today. Ozil has been one of the best players in the league this season, and ahs 3 goals and 16 assists to his name.

Emre Can must contain Ozil well to stop him from supplying to his teammates, and must control his forward runs. Ozil looks in the form of his life, and Can must be alert throughout the game to have any chance of stopping him.

Betting Odds (bet365)

Liverpool – 15/8

Draw – 12/5

Arsenal – 13/8

Prediction

Arsenal look unstoppable at the moment, and Liverpool’s injury concerns only makes it more difficult for them.